I just read at a very "linked to" popular video site that Boeing is offering 777s to ELAL at great rates and that Air Algerie is close to ordering additional 737NGs. Does anyone know where/what the source for this information is? I looked on an aircraft orders site, but it has yet to be updated. Anyone know of any others?

you are right, but this is called customer service and I think Airbus is pretty good at modeling aircraft for special customer needs (like Virgin rela sky cabins for the A340-600s)
Having said that, I would be surprised if El Al orders the A340. I think they will go for the B777. It is very political and I dont see why they would choose a European product -- US has been better to Israel.

I don't see why offering a prayer area on El Al is deemed silly - Airbus are responding to a very valid need from El Al. The galleys and areas near the lavs on their 747s are often occupied by Orthodox Jews praying.

Airbus are actually much better suited to El Al's needs, not only because of the temple in the sky but also the ultra-long haul services they operate from Israel to the US and the Far East and South Africa - the A340 is of course free of ETOPS rules. The A340 is the most highly efficient long haul transport in the world if you include the amount of cargo it can carry - and this aircraft is profitable if the bins are full (at average yield) and there are no pax on board! Israel is more dependent than most on airfreighted imports, and much of it's exports is perishables, which again relies on airfreight. Cargo Airlines operates up to half a dozen 747Fs on lease from El Al, whereas there are no 747Fs on the UK register, a much bigger country.

Not saying the 777 isn't a fantastic aircraft (I love it), but the A340 really fits in this case. However El Al will never buy Airbus. You'd be more likely to see Southwest buy A3XXs or Tu134s.

I was having trouble figuring this thread out when it finally dawned on me the original post was over a year ago. So, to recap what happened:

El Al ordered 3 777-200ERs with Trent 895 engines on Dec. 14, 1999.

On Dec. 15, Air Algerie ordered 2 additional 737-600s. Their original order consisted of 7 737-800s and 3 737-600s. Now the -600s equal 5.

Cedarjet,

A temple in the sky is not silly at all. However, it is also not an Airbus exclusive. The 747-400s and 777-200ERs in Saudia's fleet all contain a small mosque. When the El Al 777s are delivered next year, whether or not they have a small temple will be El Al's choice, not because Boeing wouldn't put one in. As far as a A340 vs. 777 goes, I think the 777 will do just as well for El Al as the A340 would. ETOPS is a non-issue, as anything from Israel is going to be withing 180 ETOPS, something El Al already has with their 767-200ER fleet. The only time ETOPS becomes an issue is over the Pacific and around the Southern Hemisphere (S. America to S. Africa to Australia to S. America). This is not an area El Al is going to be flying, at least not directly. While the A340 is certainly more fuel effecient, which is definitely a bonus with today's oil prices, the 777 is equal if not better in overall operating efficiency. And as far as the cargo goes, the 777 only carries 1 less container, but also carries more passengers. This business about the A340/A330 being profitable with only cargo on board is bulls***. I have never heard that anywhere but on this forum by fanatically pro-Airbus people. It's unfortunate that you have been fooled by this ploy, as you have always seemed an intelligent poster.